15 injured, including children, after 2-alarm fire in Kingsbridge apartment building
The FDNY said the fire broke out after 3 p.m. on West 234th Street, where flames and smoke blocked the only escape route for some residents inside the building.
Top Stories
A chaotic rescue unfolded in Kingsbridge on Tuesday afternoon after a two-alarm fire trapped residents inside a building on West 234th Street, prompting firefighters to climb ladders and pull people to safety.
The FDNY says more than 140 first responders rushed to the scene just after 3 p.m., where frantic cries for help could be heard as flames blocked the building’s only escape route. Neighbors were seen waving from their windows, unable to access the fire escape as smoke and flames spread through the building.
Within minutes, firefighters raised ladders to upper floors and rescued residents trapped inside their apartments.
At least 15 people were injured in the blaze, according to the FDNY. A witness named Trudy said many of those hurt were children attending a day care inside the building.
“Babies didn’t have coats. Some of them didn’t have socks,” she said.
Emergency radio traffic captured paramedics assessing several of the children after the fire. First responders said nine children were expected to be OK and were being taken to the hospital to be evaluated.
A father named Tyquan, said his 6-year-old daughter was among the children trapped on the fourth floor. He said she was treated for smoke inhalation after struggling to breathe through thick, black smoke.
“That smoke is serious, but she’s alright,” he said.
Tyquan said his daughter remained in the hospital Tuesday night, but he was grateful she survived.
